Monica Griffith, of Mead, cries during Monday evening's ceremony to erect a memorial for Grayson Wolff at the site where Wolff died in a motorcycle crash Sunday on Colo. 66 near Lyons. (Jonathan Castner / For the Times-Call)

As the sun set behind Longs Peak to the west, more than 70 motorcycle riders roared into place on the shoulder of Colo. 66 to pay tribute to their friend, Grayson Wolff, who was killed in a wreck Sunday.

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Nate Reid said Wolff was riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle toward Lyons on Colo. 66 east of U.S. 36 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Reid said Wolff appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his motorcycle, fell off the vehicle and slid into oncoming traffic.

A 2014 Dodge Caravan tried to turn right to avoid the rider, but he hit the front left of the vehicle, according to Reid.

Cori Thurman, one of Wolff's friends and fellow members of motorcycle club 303 District, disputed Reid's version of events. Thurman said he was right beside Wolff when the wreck happened.

Thurman said they were heading toward Longmont on Colo. 66, not Lyons, when "a red car slammed on its brakes" and clipped Wolff's leg.

Thurman said Wolff fell off of his motorcycle, which went flying, and Wolff went under the wheels of vehicles in the center of the lane.

Wolff was pronounced dead on scene.

The driver and passenger in the Dodge were not injured, Reid said.

The crash remains under investigation, and no citations have been issued at this time.

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Wolff was 19 and graduated from Mead High School in May. Friends and family described him as a happy person with an insatiable enthusiasm for life.

Members of 303 District club held a memorial ride Monday night from the WalMart in north Longmont to the site of where Wolff was killed — on Colo. 66 just west of the Cemex plant.

There, Wolff's friends said a prayer and reminded each other to be safe over the sound of vehicles passing on Colo. 66. They lit candles and placed a white wooden cross in the ground. During moments of silence, there were quiet sniffs to hold back tears and the sound of motorcycle riders consolingly patting each other on their thick, leather riding jackets.

Wolff's sister, Lacy Wolff, attended the memorial and said she was grateful for the support her family has received. Lacy Wolff said the memorial ride meant a lot to her.

"He was loved by everyone because of who he was and I'm glad that everyone could come out tonight and celebrate that," Lacy Wolff said.

Cori Thurman and Dylan Oakes, both of Longmont, hold back tears during Monday's ceremony remembering Grayson Wolff. (Jonathan Castner / For the Times-Call)

Mike Humphreys, one of Grayson Wolff's friends, said that the 19-year-old had joined the 303 District club only a few months ago. Humphreys said it was immediately clear that Wolff was a talented rider.

"I'm 33, and I've been riding for a long time," Humphreys said. "Grayson could ride right beside me. He had skills equal or better than what I have."

Others at the memorial ride said Wolff was a talented artist and musician who could soak up new skills like a sponge.

"He was always trying to learn a new instrument or something. He was an amazing artist with drawing but also a great musician," said Wolff's friend, Dylan Oakes. "He was never scared of a challenge at all. He was best at the violin."

Humphreys said Wolff could play the violin, the cello and the guitar. Bailey Stone, of Mead, attended high school with Wolff. She remembered his positive attitude and mastery of the violin.

"He was always ready and willing to do whatever anyone asked him. He always had the biggest smile on his face," Stone said. "I remember he played the violin for me once. It was — gorgeous is the only word for it — it was the most beautiful thing I ever heard and I almost cried."

June and Ed McQueen, of Longmont, came to the memorial ride in their car. June McQueen said they are family friends of the Wolffs and wanted to be there to represent Grayson Wolff's parents. Wolff's parents were having Easter dinner at the McQueens when they found out about the wreck via a cellphone call.

"The house was full and we were laughing and sharing and having a good time and then with one phone call—" June McQueen said, snapping her fingers to indicate the suddenness in the change of atmosphere.

June McQueen said Grayson Wolff was a kind young man who installed a chandelier for her and Ed three weeks ago.

"We had a good talk, a very nice visit about what he would do this spring and what his plans for his future were," June McQueen said, with tears in her eyes.

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